THE BEST NEW BOOKS
Fiction Ed Susan shares her favourite new releases
MURDER MYSTERY THE MAID by Nita Prose
HarperCollins HB £14.99.
Set in the Regency Grand Hotel, Molly the maid spends hours making sure all the rooms on her floor are “restored to a state of perfection”. Immensely proud of her work, Molly nevertheless goes largely unnoticed by many of the guests – but she knows plenty about them… and the secrets they hide.
Molly’s life takes an interesting turn when she discovers a wealthy guest, Mr Black, dead in his bed. Before long she finds herself embroiled in an investigation into his death and in the process, uncovers more dark secrets concealed within the rooms of the Regency Grand.
The characters are beautifully written. Molly will capture your heart immediately and strangely, her beloved late Gran is a strong voice throughout. It’s often her words of wisdom that bring comfort and clarity to Molly when needed most.
With a highly original plot combined with writing full of charm and wit, it’s no surprise this has been picked up by Universal to make into a film. A brilliant murder mystery with the most unlikely of heroines at the heart, this would make a perfect book group read.
REAL LIFE INSPIRATION THE CHRISTIE AFFAIR by Nina De Gramont
Mantle HB £16.99
In 1926 Agatha Christie disappeared for 11 days, sparking huge press interest and a massive search for the famous author. This clever novel reimagines those 11 days, telling the story from the perspective of the “other woman” – Nan O’Dea, who was embroiled in an affair with Christie’s husband.
Ingeniously plotted, this novel takes you off in one direction before whisking you away in another. Starting off with what seems like a simple mystery against the backdrop of infidelity, soon you realise there is more to Nan O’Dea than it would first seem. Having escaped a poor upbringing in London, Nan experiences a terrible tragedy in rural Ireland which ultimately brings her back to the capital. Can she find answers about her past? This book is so much more than a cleverly plotted mystery – with incredibly moving multi-layered stories about lost love, second chances, hope and revenge, this novel is storytelling at its very finest.
EDITOR’S PICK WAHALA by Nikki May
Doubleday HB £14.99
The title translates as “trouble” and that’s exactly what three friends find when Isobel, a figure from their past, comes back into their lives. Don’t miss Nikki’s exclusive short story on page 46.
HISTORICAL MYSTERY
THE KEY IN THE LOCK by Beth Underdown
Viking HB £14.99
By day, Ivy Boscawen mourns the loss of her son Tim in the Great War. But by night she mourns another boy – one whose death decades ago haunts her still. Ivy sets about discovering the truth, but will she find the peace she desires? This Gothic myster y, set in Cornwall, is a captivating and atmospheric read.
FAMILY DRAMA LITTLE WING by Freya North
Welbeck HB £12.99 Spanning the experiences of three generations of two families, this power ful novel from Freya North sees the stories of various family members collide when their paths cross from Camden to Colchester and even the Outer Hebrides. Exploring the true meaning of family, this stor y is moving and full of hope.
HEART-WARMING ROMANCE
THE LITTLE SHOP OF
HIDDEN TREASURES by Holly Hepburn
Simon & Schuster PBO £8.99 When Hope loses her husband, she moves back to York to be near her parents. Soon, two men come into her life – but can Will or Ciaran really give her the happy ending she deserves? The beautiful antiques shop in York provides the perfect setting. An uplifting story to warm your heart.
ROYAL HISTORICAL THE QUEEN’S LADY by Joanna Hickson
HarperCollins HB £14.99
Joan of Guildford is lady-inwaiting and confidante to Queen Elizabeth, wife of Henry VII. However, while Tudor England is in mourning, following the death of the Prince of Wales and the queen herself, Joan finds her future is far from secure… This well-researched novel draws you straight into the heart of this engaging stor y.